Which of the following is NOT a requirement for an unemployed worker to be eligible for benefits?

The correct answer is that having at least one prior job is not a requirement for an unemployed worker to be eligible for benefits. Unemployment benefits are typically designed to support individuals who are out of work regardless of their previous job history. While many state programs may have various eligibility criteria related to the duration and type of prior employment, the fundamental requirement does not mandate that an individual must have held a job before to qualify for benefits.

In many cases, eligibility focuses on the individual’s current ability to work and willingness to actively seek employment. Criteria such as being able and available for work, registering in a state employment system like Employ Florida Marketplace, and actively job-seeking are all essential to demonstrate that the individual is engaged in efforts to return to work. Therefore, the presence of a previous job is simply not a necessary factor for determining eligibility for unemployment benefits.